Public opinion appears to be shifting in favor of Ambassador Dr. Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac and her husband, Engineer Isaac Ishaku Yusuf, following renewed accusations by civil rights activist Maxwell Chibuike Okpara and the Yesufu family against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At a press conference on last Thursday, Okpara speaking on behalf of the Yesufu family and the group INAHURAT accused the EFCC and Nigerian Police of stalling the enforcement of an interim forfeiture order over disputed lands in Guzape and Katampe, Abuja. The properties had been linked to 79-year-old Colleen Mero Yesufu, who claimed long-standing ownership.
However, court records and EFCC documents indicated that the interim forfeiture order cited by Okpara was dismissed and later withdrawn by the Commission.
Legal analysts argued that continued calls for enforcement were misleading and potentially defamatory, given that the matter has already been addressed judicially.
Okpara was not officially listed as legal counsel in the ongoing civil or criminal proceedings, raising questions about his active role in the campaign. His involvement has drawn criticism from members of the legal community, with calls for the Nigerian Bar Association to review his conduct.
Observers said the media campaign launched by the Yesufu family may be an attempt to sway public opinion following the unfavorable legal outcome. Rights groups have also questioned whether the EFCC and police were being pressured to revisit a closed matter for political reasons.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Godwin-Isaac, her husband, and their firm Homadil Realty Limited have maintained that they acquired the properties legally through documented and verified transactions. The couple has reportedly complied fully with investigations by the EFCC, ICPC, FCTA, and police.
Despite this, Homadil projects were temporarily suspended, and the company’s reputation was damaged by sustained media attention and allegations from the Yesufu camp.
Civil society organizations, including CHRICED, have raised concerns over the use of civil platforms to push what they described as "inaccurate and emotional narratives."
They emphasized that public institutions must operate based on facts and legal processes not media pressure.
As the legal dust settles, public sentiment appeared to be aligning with the Godwin-Isaacs, who have continued to call for due process and transparency.
